Is European Heart Journal a Good Journal? An Honest Assessment for 2026

European Heart Journal (EHJ) is the flagship cardiovascular publication of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). With an impact factor of 35.6 and an acceptance rate around 10%, it publishes the research that defines how cardiology is practiced across Europe and increasingly worldwide.

The Short Answer

Yes, European Heart Journal is one of the top cardiology journals in the world. It competes directly with Circulation (AHA) and JACC (ACC) for the best cardiovascular research. If you work in cardiology, having an EHJ publication on your CV carries real weight.

EHJ by the Numbers

What EHJ Actually Publishes

EHJ has a distinctive editorial identity that separates it from Circulation and JACC:

ESC Guidelines. EHJ publishes the ESC clinical practice guidelines that govern cardiovascular care across Europe. These are among the most cited documents in cardiology. If your research has guideline-level implications, EHJ editors pay attention.

Large registry studies. European cardiovascular registries (EURO-HEART, ESC registries, national databases) find their natural home here. EHJ values population-level data that reflects real-world European practice patterns.

Clinical trials with European relevance. While NEJM and Lancet get the biggest global trials, EHJ publishes major trials with particular relevance to European populations, healthcare systems, or ESC guideline recommendations.

Cardiac imaging innovation. EHJ has a strong appetite for cardiac MRI, CT, echocardiography, and nuclear imaging studies that advance diagnostic or prognostic capabilities.

Preventive cardiology. Population-level prevention studies, risk factor epidemiology, and public health approaches to cardiovascular disease.

EHJ vs Circulation vs JACC

The choice between these three often comes down to your study population and topic. European data generally fits EHJ better. North American data tends toward Circulation or JACC. Global data can go to any of them, with EHJ being slightly more receptive to non-US research.

Who Should Submit to EHJ

Strong candidates:

• Cardiologists presenting landmark clinical trial data with practice-changing implications
• Researchers in heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary disease, valvular disease, or prevention
• Studies with European patient populations or direct relevance to ESC guidelines
• Large-scale epidemiological studies in cardiovascular disease
• Cardiac imaging researchers with innovation in diagnosis or risk stratification
• Prevention and population health studies in cardiovascular medicine

Not the best fit:

• Basic science without clinical translation (try Circulation Research or Cardiovascular Research)
• Case reports or small case series (try European Heart Journal - Case Reports)
• Surgical techniques (try European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery)
• Work focused exclusively on non-cardiovascular comorbidities

The ESC Connection

EHJ's relationship with the European Society of Cardiology matters for authors. ESC Congress presentations and EHJ publications are closely linked. Many of the highest-profile papers published in EHJ coincide with ESC Congress "hotline sessions." If your work is selected for a hotline presentation, simultaneous EHJ publication is common.

This also means competition peaks around ESC Congress submission deadlines. Plan accordingly.

Practical Submission Tips

1. Frame your work relative to ESC guidelines. Editors want to know how your findings relate to current recommendations.
2. Include European-relevant context even if your study is global. Discuss implications for European healthcare systems or practice.
3. Word limits are strict. Original research: 6,000 words, 6 figures/tables, 50 references. Follow them exactly.
4. Structured abstracts are required. Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions format.
5. Cover letter matters. Explain why EHJ specifically, not just "high-impact cardiology journal."

What Happens If EHJ Rejects You

EHJ's rejection rate is ~90%. Good alternatives depending on your topic:

How Does EHJ Compare to Circulation?

Both European Heart Journal (IF 35.6) and Circulation (IF 35.6) are the top two cardiology journals. The key difference is geographic and editorial philosophy. EHJ is published by the European Society of Cardiology and tends to favor large European registry data, ESC guideline-shaping trials, and imaging studies. Circulation, published by the American Heart Association, leans toward US-based clinical trials and mechanistic cardiovascular research.

For most European cardiovascular researchers, EHJ is the natural first choice. For US-based clinical trialists, Circulation is typically the stronger fit. Both have similar desk rejection rates (around 75-80%) and comparable review timelines. If your paper involves ESC guideline-relevant data, EHJ's editors will recognize the significance faster than Circulation's would.

More Resources

• European Heart Journal guide
• Cardiology journals by field
• Acceptance rates across 50+ journals
• Review timelines compared